MARKSVILLE, La. (March 1, 2012) – Be sure to mark your calendars for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s 17th Annual Pow Wow celebration at the Chief Joseph “Alcide” Pierite Pow Wow Grounds on the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation in Marksville Friday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Paragon Casino Resort will host the annual event that celebrates Native American culture and heritage.



Native American tribal dancers and artisans from across North America will gather for the annual celebration that will include cultural festivities, authentic food, arts and crafts, dancing, singing and more.



This year’s Pow Wow will feature special performances by The Grayhawk Band from New Orleans performing native blues/funk. The Grayhawk Band will perform on the Pow Wow stage on Saturday, May 19 at 11 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.



Pow Wow is open to the general public, daily admission is $5. The fee for children 5 and younger is $2. Weekend passes are available for $10 per person. Spectators will be treated to other performances by flutist, Hawk Henries and the Tunica-Biloxi Legend Keepers. The event will feature over 40 vendors selling Native American inspired food such as corn soup, Indian tacos, Buffalo burgers and fried bread. Vendors will be on site selling beautiful handmade crafts such as jewelry, blankets, pottery and leather items.



Friday evening’s Grand Entry, where all participating tribes will enter the Pow Wow grounds wearing the tribal regalia will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s events will feature Native American dance competitions with dancers representing tribes throughout North America. There will be opportunities for Inter-tribal dancing where guests can enter the circle to dance with the dancers.



The weekend schedule of events is as follows:



Friday, May 18

6:30 – 7:15 pm Hawk Henries Concert (Nipmuc Flutist)

7:30 - 9:30 pm Grand Entry (Procession of Dancers in full regalia) Social Dancing

8:30pm Committee’s Special Dance Contest



Saturday, May 19

10:00am Tunica-Biloxi Singers & Legend Keepers (Storytelling & Songs)

11:00am Grayhawk Band (Native Blues & Funk)

12:00pm Gourd Dancing (Warrior Dance)

1 - 4pm Grand Entry; Social Dancing, Dance & Drum Competition

5:30pm Hawk Henries Concert (Nipmuc Flutist)

6:15pm Grayhawk Band (Native Blues & Funk)

7:30pm Grand Entry, Social Dancing, & Competition



Sunday, May 20

10:00am Tunica-Biloxi Singers & Legend Keepers (Storytelling & Songs)

10:30am Gourd Dancing

12:00pm Grand Entry; Social Dancing; Competition Finals

4:00pm Dance & Drum Contest Awards



Be sure to schedule some time to visit the new Cultural & Educational Resources Center that houses the Tunica-Biloxi Museum. The brand new 40,000 square foot museum will house the largest collection of European and Native American artifacts from the Colonial period. The museum will have Tunica Treasures artifacts on display and will also house traveling exhibits in the future. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission prices: Adults: $5, Children: (9-12) $3, Children: (8-under) Free with purchase of adult admission (Does not apply to children in groups), Seniors: (65 +)/Military: (with ID) $4, Members of CERC: Free



For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow or other upcoming events at Paragon Casino Resort, please visit www.tunicapowwow.org or call 1-800-946-1946 extension 2016.



About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is a federally recognized tribe with a reservation within the boundaries of Louisiana. The tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. Earl J. Barbry, Sr. was elected Tribal Chairman in 1978 and was appointed as Tribal Administrator the same year. He has implemented many positive changes within the tribe and the Marksville community.

The tribe also runs the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Political Action Committee (TBIPAC) that helps state and national legislators understand the importance of the tribe and the role it can play in the economic well-being of the state and its citizens.

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has donated over $3,000,000 since 1994 to various non-profit organizations on the local, regional and national level. In addition to monetary contributions, Paragon Casino Resort employees have also volunteered their time and talents to local community organizations.

For more information on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe visit www.tunicabiloxi.org.